FOOTBALL Former Hogs running back dies
Geno Mazzanti Jr., Arkansas’ leading rusher in 1949, died Wednesday at age 84 at Washington Care Center in Greenville, Miss. He was a Lake Village native and lived there most of his life. Mazzanti had 123 carries for 757 yards - a 6.2-yard average - as a senior in 1949, which at the time was an Arkansas single-season record.
It stood as the record for 16 seasons, until Bobby Burnett rushed for 947 yards on 232 carries in 1965.
“I didn’t know Geno Mazzanti well, but I know he was held in high esteem by his teammates because of his ability and his toughness,” said Harold Horton, a former Arkansas player and assistant coach and Razorback Foundation administrator who headed up the lettermen’s club for many years. “People thought a lot of him as a player and as a person.”
Mazzanti was expected to be Arkansas’ backup fullback behind Leon “Muscles” Campbell in 1949, but injuries sidelined Campbell much of that season and Mazzanti wound up being a key offensive player and helped the Razorbacks finish 5-5, including a long run that set up a touchdown in a 7-6 victory over Vanderbilt.
Mazzanti finished second among Southwest Conference rushers to SMU All-American Kyle Rote, who ended the 1949 season by rushing for 115 yards against Notre Dame to finish with 777 - 20 head of Mazzanti.
Mazzanti played for the Baltimore Colts during the 1950 season, according to NFL.com records, and rushed 7 times for 22 yards and 1 touchdown in 4 games.
After his football career ended, Mazzanti become a farmer and businessman in Lake Village. He also served as a representative in the Arkansas legislature for 12 years, according to his obituary.
Two of his younger brothers, Jerry and Francis, also played at Arkansas.
- Bob Holt
BASKETBALL Gillon transfers to Colorado State
A former UALR point guard will join a program that has been to two consecutive NCAA Tournaments next season.
John Gillon, who played in 27 games as a freshman for the Trojans last year, has transferred to Colorado State, the school announced Thursday. Gillon will have to sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules, but will have three years of eligibility remaining.
“We are really excited to add John to our program,” Colorado State Coach Larry Eustachy said in a statement. “He is very fast in the open floor and can really put pressure on opposing defenses.”
Gillon started 12 games for the Trojans last season, and was their second-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game. He also averaged 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 22.6 minutes per game. He also led UALR with 37 three-pointers made and in free-throw shooting (81.7 percent).
GOLF Benton, Zimmerman honored for academics
Former UALR golfer Nicklaus Benton and senior Nick Zimmerman were named Cleveland/Srixon All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches of America Association, which made the announcement Wednesday.
To be eligible, golfers must meet performance guidelines and maintain a minimum 3.2 grade-point average. A total of 152 NCAA Division I players were honored.
Benton, of Cabot, played in all 10 events as a senior last year, finishing second on the team and 14th in the Sun Belt Conference with a 74.46 scoring average. He had seven top-25 finishes, including runner-up at the Cardinal Intercollegiate in Louisville, Ky.
Zimmerman played in eight events, with a scoring average of 75.27 over 22 rounds. A North Little Rock native, he finished second at the UALR/First Tee Collegiate Classic at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.
Sports, Pages 25 on 07/26/2013